Newly-appointed Advanced Education Minister Naomi Yamamoto visited the College of New Caledonia (CNC) and the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) on Tuesday to get a first-hand look at post-secondary education in the city.
At CNC, she met with president John Bowman, members of the board of governors and students union and was given an overview of the college's future plans and priorities.
A tour of the construction site for the $19.7-million technical education centre at CNC was a highlight.
"The students are really lucky to have this investment in their education," Yamamoto said in a statement issued by CNC on Wednesday.
"I love the college system because it's responsive and relevant to the community," Yamamoto added. "CNC has been what the community needs and fulfilled its needs for education and job training."
Bowman noted Yamamoto's visit, which also included stops at Northern Lights College and Northwest Community College, came quickly into her tenure.
"The fact she visited our campuses during her first two weeks in office signals how important post-secondary education is in Northern B.C.," Bowman said in the statement. "I'm impressed with her interest and enthusiasm."
At UNBC, Yamamoto was given an update on board of governor decisions over the weekend to approve a doctoral program in health sciences and approval in principle to establish programs in civil and mechanical engineering.
Approval of the doctorate means UNBC will accept up to six students a year into that program while approval in principle for the mechanical and civil engineering means UNBC will start the process of securing provincial government funding and support for those programs.
She also toured the medical building and the bioenergy plant and met with the incoming and outgoing presidents of the Northern Undergraduate Student Society.
